fabric

fab·ric | \ ˈfa-brik

How to pronounce fabric (audio)

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Definition of fabric

1a : structure, building

b : underlying structure : framework the fabric of society

2 : an act of constructing : erection specifically : the construction and maintenance of a church building

3a : structural plan or style of construction

b : texture, quality —used chiefly of textiles

c : the arrangement of physical components (as of soil) in relation to each other

4a : cloth sense 1a

b : a material that resembles cloth

5 : the appearance or pattern produced by the shapes and arrangement of the crystal grains in a rock

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Examples of fabric in a Sentence

The curtains are made of expensive fabric. scarves made of woven fabrics the fabric of the community

Recent Examples on the Web Studies have shown that cotton masks with two or three layers of fabric are more protective than single-ply masks or bandanas. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, "Is in-person voting safe from Covid-19? It can be if you follow these guidelines," 18 Sep. 2020 But there still is a belief, a piece of fabric that Lucero believes can be rewoven into every player who comes into the program. — Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, "Coming home: St. Mary's turns to alumni to restart proud football program," 11 Sep. 2020 The best protection came from cotton masks with at least two layers of fabric, N95 masks and CVS surgical-grade face coverings. — Tribune News Service, oregonlive, "Which face coverings are most effective against coronavirus droplets? Study offers some answers," 11 Sep. 2020 The best protection came from cotton masks with at least two layers of fabric, N-95 masks and CVS surgical-grade face coverings. — Lois K. Solomon, sun-sentinel.com, "Scrap those face shields. FAU study says layered masks work better against COVID-19," 10 Sep. 2020 One such piece resembles an abstraction of a cow’s body, sliced in half, with cozy-looking cavities hollowed out for holding books or swatches of fabric. — Steven Litt, cleveland, "Cleveland Institute of Art’s ‘Title TBD’ show surveys artists’ survival strategies in an age of anxiety," 6 Sep. 2020 In 1943, while the war was still raging, the federal Limitation Order 85 dictated that only one and three-quarters yards of fabric could be used to create a dress. — Marlise Schoeny, The Conversation, "Why do brides wear white?," 4 Sep. 2020 Here the stitches of the weld symbolize the stitching of the fabric from the original soft sculpture. — Roger Catlin, Smithsonian Magazine, "In Washington, D.C., Towering Candles Shine as a Beacon of Hope in Dark Times," 2 Sep. 2020 Spirit specifies that cloth masks must be secure under the chin, cover the nose and mouth, and contain at least two layers of fabric. — Sarah Jacoby, SELF, "How Delta, Southwest, Spirit and More Airlines are Handling Face Masks," 28 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fabric.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for fabric

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French fabrique "act of construction, something created or constructed, the created world, structure, construction and maintenance of a church," borrowed from Medieval Latin fabrica, going back to Latin, "process of making something, craft, art, workshop," noun derivative from *fabricus "of a craftsman," from fabr-, faber "craftsman, smith" (perhaps going back to dialectal Indo-European *dhabh-r- —perhaps of non-Indo-European origin— whence also Armenian darbin "smith," from *dhabh-r-sneh₂) + -icus -ic entry 1

Note: The Latin derivative fabrica may have been shortened from fabrica ars, perhaps literally "smith's craft, smith's place of work." The base *dhabh-r- has been compared with Gothic gadaban "to happen, be suitable" and a host of related words (see daft), though the semantic link is tenuous.

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Last Updated

23 Sep 2020

Cite this Entry

“Fabric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fabric. Accessed 25 Sep. 2020.

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